Men and women like Phalles Ng’oma are among the trailblazers who are passing down knowledge on climate smart agriculture practices to their local and neighbouring communities.
We have partnered with the Jesuit Centre for Ecology & Development (JCED) for almost a decade now, in several projects which are empowering vulnerable communities by not only strengthening livelihoods but building capacity and resilience to the growing challenges of climate change linked to deforestation, soil erosion and food insecurity.
A major part of the project is the champion lead farmers programme, a concept which was established to isolate a few lead farmers who have proven to be transformative in their respective communities for utilizing JCED sustainable farming skills and practices and tutoring their peers through example, hands on learning and knowledge sharing.
As well as addressing Malawi’s deforestation problem by agroforestry – the climate smart skills has increased crop productivity of an average of 6% and this can only keep rising as more farmers are given access to agricultural trainings to diversify crops and knowledge to adapt and combat pests and plant diseases in ways which do not harm the environment with harmful chemicals or cause soil degradation.
But what has all this got to do with bikes?
Lead farmers like Phalles are crucial to bring about sustainability and strengthen livelihoods by way of addressing low harvests to remote and marginalised communities JCED and the champion lead farmers are focusing their outreach to. Agriculture by way of small-scale farming supports a massive 85% of the total population living in rural areas.
Phalles to reach farming learners must travel “no less than 5 to 10km by foot per day” and to her disappointment, she sometimes fails to reach communities so far away . “A bicycle would be a huge help”
Mary & her husband John, eco-lead farmers tend to their crops
If these marginalised communities are to develop and prosper, education and resilience projects are vital focused on empowering local communities without gatekeeping knowledge which can improve the lives of vulnerable families and protect our common home.
This Easter, you can do something amazing by supporting farmers like Phalles, John and Mary with transport troubles so that they can promote eco-farming skills and tackle food insecurity without the burden of travelling long distances by foot to facilitate trainings.
There is more to a simple bicycle than you think!
One bicycle sourced locally costs: €150.
We’re hoping that for World Bicycle Day on June 3rd we can give as many bikes as possible to teachers and farmers who need a helping hand!
Do something amazing and donate today!
